After victories in Week 4, the Packers and Vikings brought themselves back to .500 and will now face one another on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 5. Minnesota's rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is questionable with a sprained ankle.
Bridgewater did not practice on Monday and Tuesday and was then a limited participant on Wednesday. His first career NFL start against the Falcons on Sunday was an impressive effort, resulting in a 41-28 victory. The rookie threw for 317 yards on 19-of-30 passing, ran for a touchdown and converted a two-point conversion in the win. However, he rolled his ankle in the fourth quarter and was carted off the field to be taken to the locker room. He was diagnosed with a sprained left ankle and it's unknown whether he'll play tonight.
What the Vikings do know is that they'll be without linebacker Chad Greenway (hand) for the second straight game as well as tight end Kyle Rudolph (abdomen/groin), who is recovering from sports hernia surgery. Everyone else on the Vikings injury report - CB Captain Munnerlyn (illness), RB Jerick McKinnon (ankle), CB Josh Robinson (hamstring), LB Michael Mauti (foot), WR Rodney Smith (hamstring), LB Brandon Watts (knee) and FB Jerome Felton (knee) - is listed as probable and expected to play.
As for Green Bay, they'll be without backup defensive end Josh Boyd (knee), backup linebacker Sam Barrington (hamstring) and wide receiver Jarrett Boykin (groin). They all missed practice this week and aren't expected to suit up for the Packers. But that's about it for Green Bay, as the rest of their injury report consists of probable players. Linebacker Clay Matthews (groin), linebacker Brad Jones (quad), linebacker Mike Neal (hip) and guard T.J. Lang (not injury related) are all expected to play tonight.
These two teams enter tonight's matchup with fairly even statistics: Green Bay is averaging 23 points per game compared to Minnesota's 22.8, and the Packers defense has allowed an average of 24 points per game while Minnesota has surrendered 21. But the Packers seem to have the edge over the Vikings, as their 15-4-1 home record against Minnesota over the past 20 years suggests history will repeat itself. And if Bridgewater can't play, the odds will be even worse for the Vikings.
Check out the preview for tonight's Thursday Night Football matchup.
